A lesson in resilience from ladies of Texas

“I’M A farmer and...” is a statement that I kept hearing as I spoke to different women at the Texas Ladies Night.

It seems that in these tough, dry times, no one can afford to be just a farmer. Whether they are running a cafe, shop, or camp ground, the lovely ladies of Texas have learnt to diversify in order to survive.

As I set off on my drive from Toowoomba to Texas, there was a lot to take in. The landscape was a patchwork of different shades of beige, the slightest patch of green stood out like an emerald in the sun.

Kangaroo carcasses lined the road for most of the trip. Risking their lives in search of food in the baron landscape. Anyone who made the drive into Texas, no matter from what direction, commented on the sheer numbers of them.

As I drove into town, things were very quiet, not unusual for a country town on a weekend. But things didnt stay that way for long.

As the clock hit 6pm people started pouring in the door at the Texas Memorial Hall for a night of shopping, pampering and socialising. I even put down my camera and put my bar tending skills to work, pouring free champagne on entry.

Cocktails were flowing, as were the laughs. The atmosphere was warm and the people were inviting. No one had qualm about telling their stories and opening up about how the drought was affecting them.

Everyone dressed their best with matching smiles.